Compression

By: Brittney Gray, Founder and Owner, Revamped Beauty Revamped Beauty is a 501c3 public charitable organization in Birmingham, Alabama. Our mission is to empower men and women to live their most beautiful lives in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis by providing access to specialized medical equipment and services. Revamped Beauty works in our community to spread awareness of the obstacles that patients endure after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. We focus on providing resources that help

By: Mark Rabe, Vice President Business Development, lmpediMed  This article was first featured in the 1st Quarter 2020 issue of Essential Advantage.  Cancer-related lymphedema currently affects about one-third of patients who have undergone surgery, radia­tion, or chemotherapy. It is painful, incurable, and lifelong. However, it can be prevented ... but only if it's caught early and treated.  The forefront of cancer-related lymphedema prevention:  TEST,

A recent research study recently found that home-based exercise and/or weight loss intervention failed to improve breast cancer-related lymphedema outcomes among breast cancer survivors who are overweight. The study was conducted by Kathryn H. Schmitz, PhD, MPH, professor in the department of public health sciences and in the department of physical medicne and rehabilitation at Penn State Cancer Institute and hypothesized that combining weight loss and exercise would achieve the greatest reduction

Kim Neel of Alala When a woman hears she has beaten breast cancer, her life should improve. The fight is over, she’s in the clear, it’s time for things to go back to normal. But, as everyone in the industry knows, that is simply not the case. Side effects of the treatment that saved her life can lead to conditions like lymphedema – a condition that can cause fibrosis, infection, pain, and impaired functioning of the affected body part. Kim Neel, cofounder of Alala, has made it

On January 23, 2019, the DMEPOS and Home Health Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Performant added Pneumatic Compression Devices to their CMS Approved Audit Issues log. The reviews are defined as complex reviews for claims with a paid date more than 3 years prior to the Additional Development Request (ADR) letter date. Performant indicates that pneumatic compression devices (HCPCS Codes E0651 and E0652) may have been provided to patients where all Medicare coverage criteria were not met. The review

By: Krista Barnett, Marketing Manager, medi USA Compression is the cornerstone of therapy for patients with chronic venous diseases. Sufferers of venous diseases arise in those who have increased pressure strains on the veins in their legs, which can prompt valves within the veins to fail to work efficiently, resulting in blood flow to back up and eventually pool out into the legs. Venous disease is not curable, but veins do respond well to treatment. Compression therapy is a primary source of

It’s the dog-days of summer. But just because it’s hot and sultry outside, that’s not a reason to stop wearing compression! The technology in mediven® products can help you overcome the "summertime" objections. Did you know that our mediven® premium knit products have a unique technology called Clima Comfort that transports moisture from the surface of the skin for optimum comfort all day? When moisture builds near the skin it creates an insulation layer that

A new study shows that there is a way to detect lymphedema early. Typically, a patient with potential lymphedema is screened through a tape measure evaluation. A new technology, bioimpedance spectroscopy, or BIS, sends an electrical signal into the extremity that can detect lymphedema before a tape evaluation. The new study found that BIS helped discover symptoms better than just a traditional tape measure, but it allowed patients to receive treatment that could potentially reverse the progression.

Some research indicates that 40% of breast cancer survivors will develop lymphedema. Once you develop lymphedema, you live with it for the rest of your life.  Recently, an Omaha breast cancer survivor showed how she has been managing her lymphedema for the past 23 years. Even though many people experience lymphedema, the majority of people do not understand the diagnosis, maintenance required, products available, and cost to the patient.  Read the full story from KMTV. The

The Essentially Women membership has two pieces of federal legislation already moving in Congress, the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act and the Lymphedema Treatment Act. The Lymphedema Treatment Act is being spearheaded by the Lymphedema Treatment Act Organization.  Medicare does not recognize and acknowledge the role compression plays in the treatment of lymphedema. If passed, this legislation will provide Medicare coverage for all forms of compression, including bandaging supplies,